The Hare mocked the slow Tortoise and agreed to race him for fun. During the race, the Hare got far ahead and took a nap, believing the Tortoise would never catch up. However, while the Hare slept, the Tortoise steadily advanced and ended up winning the race by being slow and steady, passing the napping Hare. The moral is that slow and steady wins the race over faster but less determined competitors.
3. A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll
run you a race and prove it."
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the
Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had
consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the
runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel
very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he
lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should
catch up.
4. The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a
time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare
slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the
Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he
could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
Slow and steady wins the race.
